Paula’s eyes popped open at 5:10am as there was a night heron barking and gargling outside the open bedside portal. Thinking this was a good time to get the laundry started before others might need the machines, she dressed quietly and grabbed the clothes sacks and quarters. Tiptoeing off the boat heron karma happened. In the pre-dawn dark, the heron did not see or hear her approach, and literally screamed in alarm as it launched into flight off the dock lines, depositing a small sardine with a plop on the pier. No breakfast for the birdie alarm clock.

Returning to the boat after starting the washers up at the marina offices, Paula noticed that the poor sardine was still there, clearly beyond resuscitation. However, on the last of several trips to and from the laundry, carrying dry clothes, she heard a cacophony of grackle noises.  About five of the iridescent black birds were contesting ownership of the night heron’s abandoned fish. Paula snapped a picture of the victor (today’s featured shot).

This day was devoted to housekeeping and trip planning. Paula undertook a massive cleaning and washing of the interior of C Ghost, and Tom worked on the outside. He also staged the next few (and final!) routes of our path to St. Augustine. He has to balance mileage, current, tides through shallow spots, wind and current during Sound crossings, and find a reasonable place for us to anchor or dock before night falls. This area is especially tricky. The tidal range is large (7-9 feet), the currents are swift, and many of the anchorages are shallow. To make it even more complicated, we’re supposed to have very high winds the next few days and will likely have to wait a day or two before going much further. We can’t wait here in this marina however as they are booked solid with advance reservations. In addition he is looking into alternative modes of transportation besides boat and feet once we arrive in St. Augustine .

Although it was a busy day, we both did get a chance for a rare nap and a walk to the Fredericka Yacht Club and environs. The condos and dock there were the only part of the marina waterfront that existed 30 years ago when Paula’s parents lived there in their DeFever 52 trawler, right on the dock. One of their close friends lived in the adjacent condos and Paula and Tom have great memories of visiting them here.

The basic structure of the condos haven’t changed, and they are full with beautiful landscaping. The docks on the other hand are fairly empty as they were evacuated before the hurricane and some damage to the dock structure is still being repaired.

We then cleaned up, and had a repeat great meal at the Coastal Kitchen.